The summer months can be tough on our dogs, especially for those with an active lifestyle. Dogs who train and compete in sports are notorious for overheating and needing special care. In this hot season there are ways to keep our dogs cool in the relentless heat and safe from heat exhaustion or worse!

It is very important to be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and be able to recognize the times when your dog just needs to take a break and cool down, and those times when your dog needs medical attention via your nearest veterinarian to help them safely cool down and fight life threatening heart stroke or heat exhaustion. Taking frequent breaks and using safe cooling techniques will keep your down safe and healthy on those hot days in the sun!

Tips for keeping your dogs cool in the heat:

When outside for extended periods of time, have your dogs take frequent breaks in the shade with a cool (not cold) bowl of water. Offer small amounts of water at a time (approximately half a water bottle at most). Do this more often if the day is exceptionally hot, give your dog a chance to cool down before you continue on. You will notice a change in your dog's panting from heavy to lighter when they are ready to get up and go again!

Feed your dog a few hours before you go out to provide them with energy to take on the day, but give them 2-3 hours to digest the meal prior to going out to avoid bloat and stomach torsion.

Add electrolytes to their water bowl to keep them replenished with everything they require to stay hydrated. A pet product or the human version such as unflavoured Pedialyte is ideal! Electrolytes will keep them hydrated and in good physical condition to handle the higher temperatures.

Snacks! Offer your dog high calorie or high protein treats such as Zuke's Powerbones or Orijen Freeze Dried treats through out the outing, but don't give too many at once since it can cause stomach upset (especially in the heat!).

If you are at home or somewhere that allows it, offer your dog a kiddie pool full of cool water to splash around in! This will keep them cool on days that you are spending extended periods of time outside!

If you are not doing excessive exercise but are spending a lot of time outdoors in the heat, make sure to always have cool clean water available and ample shade nearby!

Choose to exercise your dog in the early morning or late evening when it is cooler to avoid the excessively hot afternoons!

Keep your dog off hot pavement in the afternoon - if you can't walk on it barefoot, it's too hot for your dog.

Keep in mind that thick coated / heavy coated breeds cannot spend as much time in the heat as shorter coated dogs.

Learn the signs of overheating and distress so that you can monitor your dogs for symptoms.

If your dog becomes overheated while outside, find a shady place and have your dog stand for 10 minutes. Pour cool (not cold) water on your dog's paws, wet the inside of the ears with your cool, wet hands (do not poor water in the ear) and underbelly ONLY, then have them sit for 10 minutes, repeat with the water on their paws, underbelly and wet the ears (do not pour water in the ear). Have them lay down for another 10 minutes, then find an air conditioned environment to allow them to fully cool down. If any symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke occur, see a veterinarian immediately. On transport to the veterinarian hospital, apply cool water to the paws, underbelly and rub water with your hands on the inside of their ears. Do NOT offer cold water during heat exhaustion as you can cause bloat and stomach torsion. The cold water will shock their overheated system.

If your dog is showing any of the following symptoms, veterinarian assistance is required as soon as possible. Dogs will need help bringing their body heat down, re-hydrating and preventing serious effects such as seizures and potentially death.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion / Heat Stroke in Dogs

Restlessness

Weakness/Fatigue

Pale tongue and gums

Disorientation

Unsteady, staggering gait

Excessive heavy panting or unusual breathing

Extreme thirst

Excessive salivation / thick saliva

Vomiting and Diarrhea

Increased respiratory and heart rates

Crying or distressed vocalizations

Collapsing or losing consciousness

Do not under ANY circumstances leave your dogs in a car in hot weather without air conditioning AND supervision. Dogs left in hot cars can die very quickly, this happens often in the summer months unfortunately. If it is too hot, just leave your dog at home for the day.

Thanks for the info, I knew most of this anyway but its good to share!

Reply

Polash

5/21/2013 02:40:44 am

Umm, i have 7 months old German shepherd and where we live, the temp easily rises to 47 degrees , but thank you admin for this wonderful post (y)

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Mike

5/21/2013 03:03:01 am

Yeah, for fun, take your shoes off and walk on blacktop in the hot sun sometime......then remember your pet next time you take him/her for a walk! Tip, if you think it's hot, your pet will too.....a little common sense goes a long way.

This comment is SO IMPORTANT !!! Mike, years ago, I use to be a security guard and walked on black top, I can remember my feet feeling burning hot but it was my job. One day I got home, there was a place on my foot that felt extrmely hot, I looked on the bottom of my shoe and I had burn a hole in a place that my foot favored. It is so important to keep these friends of ours comfortable. Ann

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Ileene

5/21/2013 04:04:18 am

I live in Kansas, where the summer temperatures often go over 100*F. My German Shepherds love their sheep water tank, "swimming pool". I change the water and clean it every third day, to avoid mosquitos hatching.

Reply

Elsie

5/21/2013 07:05:56 am

This is great info, Thank you Angel

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Faith Fletcher-Ku

7/5/2013 05:29:29 pm

I always take a sun reflective umbrella when out walking with the dog, this can really help them to keep cool as it does me. You cannot always find sufficient shade, so the umbrella is something I never leave home without. I live in Taiwan so the temperatures can soar almost without warning. Before going out for a walk with the dog it is really important to check the weather forecast and cancel that trip if you feel it is going to be too hot for both of you.

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Robin Bisbing

7/6/2013 06:04:33 am

I have a husky/GSD mix...talk about overheating, we live in the Phoenix metro area. Poor girl doesn't get any break from the heat. Even at midnight its close to 100. We hibertate in the summer, and do it up in the winter. Those are the only 2 seasons we have. Keep the air down to 70, when in the station wagon she stays closer to the front AND we have an extra fan to keep the sir circulating. Always lots of water! Never in the car alone! Safety 1st, don't know what I would do without her.

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